USFL hires Ray Horton as Pittsburgh Maulers head coach

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PITTSBURGH The on Tuesday announced that veteran defensive coach Ray Horton has been hired to lead the . He immediately a sumes duties from head coach Kirby Wilson, who resigned earlier this month."We are thrilled Ray Horton is joining the USFL family as the new Pittsburgh Maulers head coach," said Daryl Johnston, Executive Vice President of Football Operations. "He helped the win two Super Bowls as an a sistant coach, so Pittsburgh football fans know him. He also won a Super Bowl as a player and my teammate on the 1992 . Ray is a great leader and an even better person, and Im excited to be teammates with him once again."Horton, 62, gets his first opportunity as a profe sional football head coach. Leading the Pittsburgh franchise also makes it a family affair, as his son Jarren Horton will remain defensive coordinator for the Maulers during the upcoming USFL Season 2."Im humbled to join the USFL as the new Pittsburgh Maulers head coach," said Horton. "Were returning a solid core from one of the best defenses in the league Ben Lovejoy Jersey , including All-USFL safety and Pittsburgh-native . As we look for the next great quarterback in the USFL, Im also excited about our returning offensive core. We will stay focused on delivering a USFL championship to Pittsburgh Maulers fans."Born in Tacoma, Wash., Hortons life has revolved around the game of football. A legendary 1970s prep All-American player, he stayed home as a defensive back and special-teams returner for the . In 1983, Horton was drafted by the USFL Los Angeles Expre s, but ultimately played for the NFL , who drafted him with the 53rd overall pick. After a stellar 10-year career with the Bengals and Cowboys, Hortonturned immediately to coaching in 1994. He held various NFL defensive coaching Marcus Johansson Men Jersey positions for the , Bengals, and Steelers, where he coached teams that won Super Bowls XL and XLIII. He then became defensive coordinator for the , and . Most recently, he was the defensive backs coach for the Washington Football Team in 2019."Like all USFL coaches, Rays pa sion is helping players maximize their talents to become the best they can be," said Johnston. "Rays experience and expertise will help our players and a sistant coaches succeed at the profe sional level, and I know he will bring an exciting brand of football to Pittsburgh Maulers fans."Horton recently interviewed with the USFLs Coach Selection Committee, which included Johnston, former NFL head coach and current NBC Sports analyst Jason Garrett, NBC Sports executive Jon Miller and Pro Football Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian."Coach Horton left a great impre sion on everyone on the committee, so when Kirby Wilson informed the USFL that he was unexpectedly resigning, the first phone call we made was to Ray," said Johnston.Horton replaces Wilson, who had been preparing for the upcoming USFL Season 2 until he informed league officials of his decision."Due to personal reasons, it is with a heavy heart that I have resigned as head coach of the Pittsburgh Maulers," said Wilson. "I want to thank the USFL, Daryl Johnston Keith Kinkaid Women Jersey and the football support staff, but especially my a sistant coaches and players. I had awonderful experience during the history-making first year of the USFL. I will be forever grateful and forever a fan of this profe sional league. Thank you for believing in me and for providing an opportunity!"Johnston said Wilson was a big reason why the USFL is the first major profe sional spring football league in nearly 40 years to complete a succe sful inaugural season and return for a second year."I think I speak for everyone in expre sing sincere appreciation for Coach Wilson and everything he did to help the USFL complete a succe sful inaugural season," said Johnston. "More than the head coach of the Pittsburgh Maulers, he was a mentor for other players, coaches and staff. Kirby Wilson will always have a special place in the history of our league."USFL Season 2 kicks off April 15, 2023.Top stories from FOX Sports: USFL trending in this topic
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